Pack feed mechanism for labeling machines



I Jan. 2, i940.

, CHfNEER PACK FEED MECHANISM FOR LABELING MACBiNES Filed July 10, 1959 q r '5 flat o $8M m m v A INVENTOR. m8 7 'llliff'mr" 1:1 H. N E'EI" BY v I l v V 2 05M wan l ATTORNEYS AShets-Sheet 1 r Jan.2,1940; 7 H, NEER 1 2,185,947 r I 7 PACK FEED gggANIsM FOR LABELING MACHINES r Fi ed July 10,1939 Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 INVENTOFQI.

Clifford H. N E ED :4 Z; WW

, ATTORNEYS.

Jan..2, 1940. c. H. NEER 2,185,947

PACK FEED MECHANISM FOR LABELING MACHINES Filed July 10, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

Cliffurd NE E1" BY 7 4 M ATTORNh J.

Jan. 2 1940. c. H. NEER PACK FEED MECHANISM FOR LABELING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 10, 19:59

I Q l l I l I l I ll III;

. INVENTOR. Clifford H.NE er ATTORNEYS PatentcdJamZ, 1940 i I Q UNITED U STATES PATENT" ,OFFlCE A PACK FEED MECHANISM FOR LABELING MACHINES Clifford H. Neer, Baltimore, Md., asslgnor to Machine Company, Incorporated, Baltimore,

Md., a. corporation vof Maryland Application July 10, 1939, Serial No. 283,661 17 claims; (01. 216-53) The invention relatesto improvements in pack equipped with the improved pack feed mechafeed mechanism of the character employed in nism. n conjunction with a labeling machine adapted to Figure 2" is" a perspective view of thepack feed handle containers, such as cylindrical cans, that mechanism shown in Figure 1, with the gauxillary pass along'a given route adjacent a labeling zone pack feed disposed in feeding relation to a first 6' in which successive containers are supplied with pack, and" showing an additional pack being successive label sheets from the forward end of furnished to the retracted main pack feed. the pack and wherein pack feed mechanism is Figure 3 is a view in front'elevation of the pack employed to advance successive label sheets into feed mechanism, with a pack of label sheets the labeling zone, such av machine being shown operatively associated with the main pack feed. 1 and described in U. S. Patent 1,323,940 to White- Figuredis a vertical cross sectional view taken burst and Wild. The invention further relates to substantially on the line 44 of Figure 3, the improvements in the pack feed mechanism illuspack of-l'abel sheetsibeing 'operatively associated.

trated and described in the'Wild Patent 1,529,043, withthe auxiliary pack feed to permit retracwherein resilient means is provided to tem-- tion of the main packfeed' porarily support a pack of label sheets with its Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectional fragforward end in the labeling zone in a manner mentary detail view showing means for advancwhereby to permit retraction of the pack feed ing or retracting the pack support relative to the mechanism to provide for the insertion of an --feed mechanism;

no additional pack of labels. I Figure 6 is a horizontal cross sectional -'view One of theobjects of the present invention'is taken substanti lly nthe line 68 ofFi l-lr i to provide improved pack feed mechanism for a F ure 7' is a diagrammatic pe p w labeling machine. looking toward the rear side'of the feed control Another object is to provide pack feed mecha Preferably i g a Pa Of t e vennism having improved feed control means. a

A further and important object is the provision In meld-wings; which for the pm'poseof m s of a main pack feed normally advancing the pack Pmtion n a m F embodiment of the i and an auxiliary pack removably disposable Invention, and wherein Similar reference chairv in feeding relation to the pack to provide for the actersi demte corresponding Part5 thmout the furnishing of an additional pack to t main several views, the letter A generally designates-a 80 fe d without interrupting the n f the labelingmachine, equipped with main and auxil-- pack a iary pack feeds B and C and feed control" A still further object of the invention resides a x I in the provision of main and auxiliary pack. feeds In the example shown the machine A includes with improved feed control means therefor. frame llleflossihaupper 9 m of which The invention also aims to provide improved tends a conveyor II for rolling cans I! along a means for advancing or retracting the pack'supm of travel determined by m extend port relative to th feed mechanism mg from entrance llatone end of the frame to The invention further aims to provide imexit at th Opposite thereof, As proved means for moving the auxiliary pack feed cessive cans I! pass zone l6, adhesive from pot 40 p i1 is applied totheir'peripheries. Thecans i2 2x 2225 mto and out of feeding relatmn to thentraverse a labeling zone I8- in which suc- I cessive uppermost label sheets IQ of pack 20 are The invention additionally resides in the proa Y Y picked up one by one: and rolled around sucvlsion of means stqppmg operation of the pack cessive cans,the-fiap end of eachsheet being pro-' feed mechanism pnor to exhaustion of pack vided'witha marginal strip-of adhesive adjacent of label sheets. l

' the aste belt housin structure 2|. Th other objects and advantages of the invention chin' A also'includes 5 motor M'for drivin g 2:- v

will become appare'nt during the course of the tam arts the machine Such as the com 0 following detailed description, taken in con- Y a junction with the accompanying drawings. o Referring now to'the main and auxiliary pack n a pa t of h s specification, and which feeds Band 0, the same are supported by yoke drawings: 7 plates 25 extending transversely of opposite side Figure 1 is a Perspective e f, the la e bars 26 of the frame, Fixed to the yoke plates machine, looking toward the front thereof, and -25, as by cap screws 21, are downwardly de- 55 pending brackets 28. Mounted for vertical sliding movement in the brackets are racks 29 extending upwardly thru openings 30 in the yoke plates.

Each rack 29 is providedwith a pinion 35, as shown in Figure 5, fixed on or integral with a shaft 36 that is mounted for rotation transversely of the lower end portion of one of the brackets 28. Freely rotatable on each shaft 36 is a ratchet wheel 31 provided with a reduced annular hub 38 and an annular series of sockets 39. Fixed on shaft 36, as by set screw 40 is a collar 4I provided with an opening 42 axially alignable with any one of the sockets 39 by rotation of the shaft 36 relative to ratchet wheel 31. Secured for limited movement axially of the shaft, as by screw 43 forming a stop, is a hand-wheel 44 provided on its hub with an inwardly extending stud 45 of a length whereby upon inward movement of the hand-wheel 44 axially of the shaft 36, stud 45 will extend thru opening 42 and may be plugged into one of the sockets 39, and whereby, upon outward movement of the hand-wheel,

the stud is withdrawn from the socket 39 but remains at least partially in opening 42, as shown in Figure 5. With this arrangement, the handwheel 44 of each feed B and C is at all times connected for rotation with its shaft 36, by way of stud 45, collar M, and set screw 46, whereas ratchet wheels 31 are connected for rotation with the shafts 36 only while the hand-wheels are thrust inwardly toward the respective ratchet wheels 31, the connection of each ratchet wheel 31 to its shaft 36 being by way, of socket 39, stud 45, collar 4I and set screw 40.

Rotatably mounted on hubs 38 of ratchet wheels 31 are arms each including a free end portion 5|, to which is pivotally secured, as by screw 52, a driving pawl 53, urged into engagement with one of the ratchet wheels as by spring 54. Pivotally mounted on the brackets 28, as by screws 55,

are holding pawls 56, urged into engagement with ratchet wheels 31, as by springs 51.

Rotatably mounted in brackets 28 are drive shafts 58, connected for rotation in unison as by sprockets 59 and chain 60. The drive shaft 58 of the main feed B is constantly driven, preferably in a counter-clockwise direction, as by fixed pulley 6| and belt 62 operatively connected to motor 22.

Mounted on drive shafts 58 are eccentric cams 63 engaging cam surfaces 64 on arms 58 to swing said arms 50, together with driving'pawls 53, upwardly. In order that cam surfaces 64 will tend to remain in contact with cams 63, the arms 58 are downwardly urged as by springs 85. With this construction, the arms 50 normally are moved up and down whereby to intermittently rotate ratchet wheels 31, so that the latter, when connected to their respective shafts 36, thru studs 45 and collars 4i, will elevate racks 29 in the direction of feed.

Secured to the upper end of the rack 29 of main pack feed B is a horizontal pack-supporting table 10 preferably of a width substantially equal to the width of the pack 20 and provided in its opposite marginal sides with spaced apart inwardly extending notches II-,-I2. The table may be of a length sufiicient to support packs of varying lengths. It will be understood thattables of various widths may be provided, if desired, for

properly supporting different width packs.

Secured to the lower end of the rack 29 of auxiliary pack feed C is a laterally extending bearing I5 including stub shafts I6 pivotally supporting a pair of elongate lever arms". Each arm 11 is provided at its free end with a sleeve I8 fixedly supporting a horizontal rod I9 carrying collars 80-8I provided with inturned supporting fingers 82, for disposition in notches 'II'I2 of the pack supporting table 10. If desired, the collars 80 may be keyed to grooves 83 in rods 19, for movementaxially thereof between annular stops 84. The notches H of pack supporting table 10 are of a width to accommodate the fingers 82 regardless of the axial adjustment of collars 88 between stops 8,4.

In their swinging movement, the arms 11 are correlated thru the provision of intermeshing rod is swivelled, as by annular groove 95 and pin 96, to handle 91. Fixed to the other. arm 11 is a pin 98 retained in arcuate slot 99 of the handle as by head I00. The handle also includes an axiallybored boss I III containing ball I92 urged as by coil spring I03 andadjustment screw I 64 into depression I05 in the upper position of the handle, whereby to retain the handle against casual displacement.

98 whereby to open the arms 11 upon lifting of the handle. r

In order to provide a signal upon predetermined depletion of a pack of label sheets, knockers H0 I are mounted on the brackets 28 for co-action with bells III. I I2 and a projecting finger I I3. .To the lower end of the main feed rack is secured a lateral extension H4 carrying an upstandingrod I I 5, vertically adjustable as by set screw H6. The laterally extending bearing 15 of the auxiliary pack feed is also provided with a similar upstanding rod H5. To theupper ends of these rods H5 are secured laterally offset trip arms I", adapted to engage fingers H3, whereby to flex the respective knockers H0 in a direction away from bells III,

Each knocker includes a. resilient stem The arcuate slot 99 is shaped to provide a camming co-action with pin until the tip ends of the fingers slip off and out of engagement with thetrip arms I IT, in a manner whereby to rebound and cause the knockers to strikethe bells.

In order to maintain the uppermost label sheet I9 of the pack 20 in the labeling zone I8 of the machine A, feed control means D is provided. The main and auxiliary pack feeds B and C are each provided with a control shaft I 25. In the example'shown, these control shafts are mounted for rotation in brackets 28 below and parallel to the drive shafts 58, which, as previously described, operate thru the eccentric cams 63 and springs to normally raise and lower the arms 50 that carry the driving pawls 53.

Fixed to the control shafts I25 are abutment arms I28 normally urged,

as 'by springs I25'into non-interfering relation to the free end portions 5| of arms 50, but

nuts I38.

control shaft is a stop lever I45 provided with a resilient contact I46 adapted to be engaged by the laterallyfextending bearing I5 uponpredetermined elevation of the auxiliary feed rack 28. The curling bar rod I33'may be provided with a: lever [41 biased by spring I49 to urge lever I34 I 4 I I driving said main and auxiliary feedsQs'aid main 'feednormally being disposed infeedingjelation toward the curling bar I35. 1 7 On account of the weight of parts supported by the auxiliary feed C, a suitable spring I50; may be secured between bearing 15 and'a fixed portion of the frame in a manner whereby to counter balance and relieve excessive strain on the auxiliary feed. 1

In the operation of the packfeed mechanism, thein'itial pack is'supplid to the table 10 of themain pack feed B. This pack 20 may therr be manually advanced to dispose its uppermost label sheet I9 beneath the curling bar- I35. -This position of engagement with ratchet wheel. .31 of the main feed. Upon predetermined depletion of the initial pack 20, the main feed bell knocker III! will be actuated. The operator or care-taker of the machine will now depress the handle 91 and turn the hand-wheel of the auxiliaryfeed C to dispose the auxlliaryfeed fingers 82 in the notches '|I'-'-12 of the main-feed table '10, which f may then be retracted from the initial pack 20,

while the auxiliary feed C is disposed in feeding relation to the pack 2II.- To retractthe table lll,

the main feed hand-wheel 44 is pulled out to dis-I .connect the main feed ratchet, whereupon the hand-wheel may be turned in aclockwisedirection to lower the rack 29 carrying the table.; After an additional pack 20] is supplied to thetabla; the same is advanced thru operationsof the-mama feed hand-wheel 44 into engagement with the auxiliary feed fingers 82, which may then be re-} tracted from feeding relation" to the initial pack 20 by lifting handle 91.

In the eventeither the main and thereby cause the pack to dwell. "Upon the utilization of label sheets permitting the curling.

bar. to lower, the abutment arms, I26 will be.-re-

turned to their normal position of non-interfer v ence, as by springs I, I49, and-the feedwill, be resumed. In the event the auxiliary-feed C, a is permitted to advance to a predetermined po'sito the'firs't'menti-oned pack tion, the bearing 15 will engage the resilient con tact I46 whereby to rock the control shafts an stop the feeding action.

Variouschanges may. be made in the form -of invention herein shown and described without departing from thespirit of the invention-or -the scope of the following claims.

I claim: 1. In pack feeding mechanism machine, a main feed, an auxiliary feedymeans Mounted .for rotation with rock-shaft MI is an'arm I42 connected as by link I43 to the lever I28 that is fixed on the main feed.

control shaft I25. Secured to the auxiliary feed-- or auxillary lfeed' tends to advancethe pack faster than the. labelm v sheets are utilized, the curling bar I will-be lifted, and thru the connections described will rock the control shafts I25 whereby todispose the abutment arms I26 beneath shoulders 12 1,

for a labeling:

feeds, saidimain feed normally being disposed in.

tionto the pack, means for reniovably disposing said auxiliary feed at feeding relation to the mpack, meansfor retracting said main feed from feeding relation to the pack so that an'additional P pack may be supplied to the main feedfwhilethefi first-mentioned packis being .LadyanGed by: the .e d -me re veh fig l m i I feed so that-the additional pack is. disposed in 1 succeeding...relation to the first-mentioned pack}. 2..In;pack feeding mechanism for a labeling machine, a'main feed-'forthe pack, an auxiliary" feed for the pack, automatic means'for positively to the pack :and, said auxiliary feed normally being disposed out of feeding relation to thepack,

,feeding relation to thespackj and said auxiliary." feed normally being disposed out'offeeding rela advancingthe mainfeed'so that the additional .pack is disposed vin succeeding relation tofthe first-mentioned pack.

. .3. Ina pack feeding mechanism for a labeling ,machine, a main including a table for. nor

' Inay. aqya c ng the pa ta au il rr eed m1 eluding a 'niernber movable transversely of ,the path of travel of the. table into and outl of supporting. relation to. thewpack. means actuating, 'said'main'and auxiliary feeds to positivelydrivef said table-andm'ember in" thedirectio'njof'feed,

means removablyidisposingfsaid member in supporting and feeding relation to'fthe pack, means for retracting said table from supporting and feeding relationto the pack so that an additional pack maybe placed thereon'while the first-metr f tioned pack is being advanced thea'uxiliary" "feed 'and means for advancing the table so that;

the additional .pack thereon is" disposedin suc' ceeding relationjto'the first-mentioned packj erdbers'in the direction of feed; means rea V 4. Ida pack-ffeedlng'mechanism for a labeling machine; amam. feedf including a table for, nor mally advancingthe pack, an auxiliary feed includingfmembers-at opposite sides of the path of travel ofgthej table, means correlating said "me'm hersffor movement transversely of the path of 1;. "'travel.of;the' tableiinto andout ofsupporting re-' la'tlon fto the pack, means'actuating said 'mainj'" and;;auxiliary feeds to advance said table and" said movably dlsposingfsaidjmembers' in supporting 'andfeedingfifelation ito*thepackfmeans'for're- 4 tracting said table from supporting and feeding relation to the pack so th'at an I additional pack may be placed" thereon whilejthe first-mentioned pack is'being advanced by 'the=auxil-iaryfeed and means foradvancingthe table so that the addi- "ltional pack is disposedfin -succeeding relation h 5. A' pack feeding mechanism for a labeling machine comprising-a'-'mainwfeed normally ad- 'vancing'i'the pack duringgnon-operation of the .mainjfeed, said auxiliary feed'including' a beariing, ap'air' or levers -pivotally"rnountedthereon and in'cludinginturned fingers at their free, end "portions, means correlating said leversfor'swing- Lamg'r'novement to dispose said fingers in or outQ a of feeding relation tonthepack, and'means'for advancingthe-bearingin the direction of feed.

' having opposite sides provided with a plurality rack being movable'in one direction to advance a of inwardly extending marginal notches, and an auxiliary feed foradvancing the pack during non-operation of the main feed, said auxiliary feed including a bearing, a pair of*- levers pivotally mounted thereon, a pair of 'bars fixed transversely of said levers, a'plurality of inturned said bars, means for swinging said levers toinsert said fingers in said notches and thereby removably disposed said fingers in feeding relation to the pack, and means for advancing the bearing in the direction of feed.

7. A pack feeding mechanism for a labeling machine comprising a main feed normally advancing the pack, and an auxiliary feed for advancing the pack during non-operation'of the main feed, said auxiliary feed including a bearing, a pair of levers pivotally mounted thereon, a pair of bars fixed transversely of the levers, a a

plurality of inturned fingers mounted for movement longitudinally of the bars, means for swinging said levers to dispose said fingers in or out of feeding relation to the pack, and means for advancing the bearing in the direction of feed.

8. In a pack feeding mechanism for a'labeling machine, a main feed including a pack-advancing table provided with'marginal notches,

an auxiliary feed including pack-advancing members removably disposed infeeding relation to the pack upon insertion of said-members the pack upon disposition of said pack advancing members in said feeding relation whereby an additional pack may be furnished to the table, said table being advancable to dispose said additional pack in substantially succeeding relation to the first-mentioned pack whereby said pack-advancing members, may be removed from feeding relation to the first-mentioned pack;

9. A pack feed mechanism for a labeling machine comprising a main feedfor' normally advancing the pack, an auxiliary feed movable into and out of feeding relation to the pack,

said main feed being retractible fror'n 'the pack upon movement of the auxiliary feed into feeding relation to the pack, whereby anfadditional pack may be furnished to the' main feed, and means positively driving saidm'ain and auxiliary feeds. a

10. Apack feed mechanism for a labelingmachine comprising a main feed, forv normally ad vancing the pack, an auxiliary feed movable into and out of feeding relation to the pack, said main feed being retractible from the pack upon shaft, and clutch means connecting said-handwheel and collar upon disposition of the handwheel in one of said positions to permit manual advancement or retraction of the rack, said disposition clutch means upon disposition of the hand-wheel in the other of saidpositions connecting said hand-wheel, collar and ratchet'wheel to permit automatic or manual advancement of the rack. fingers fixed in spaced relation longitudinally of 12. Pack feed mechanism of the character described comprising a bracket, a rack :mounted for reciprocation relative to the bracket, said rack being movable in one direction to advance the pack and in the opposite direction to provide for the insertion of an additional pack, a pinion shaft mounted for rotation relative to the bracket, a pinion fixed relative to the shaft and meshing with the rack, a ratchet wheel rotatable on the shaft, and provided with a socket, a pawl for driving the ratchet wheel, a collar fixed on the shaft and provided with an opening alignable with said socket, a hand-wheel reciprocable between axially spaced positions on the shaft, and a pin fixed on the hand-wheel, said pin upon disposition of the hand-wheel in one of said positions projecting into said opening to connect vancement or retraction of the rack, and upon and ratchet wheel to said shaft for automatic I orv manual advancement of the rack. in said notches, said table being retractible from mittently rotate the ratchet wheel, cam means normally intermittently thrusting. said pawl means toward the first position, a spring urging the pawl means toward the second position, an arm,- means pivotally mounting the arm for swingingmovement into and out of the path of travel-of said pawl means, said arm upon disposition in said path of travel constituting a stop preventing movement of said pawl means toward said second position under the influence of said spring, means urging the arm out of said path of, travel, and means disposed in the path of movement of the auxiliary feed into feeding relation to the pack, whereby an additional pack may be furnished to the main feed, means positively actuating said main and auxiliary feeds,

and means controlling said actuating means to. substantially maintain the forward end portion of the pack in a predetermined zone.

11. Pack feed mechanism of the character dc-i scribed comprising a bracket, a rack mountedfor reciprocation relative to:the bracket, said ing with the rack, aratchet wheel rotatable on the shaft, a pawl for driving the ratchet wheel,

,travel of the pack, said last-mentioned means 'upon engagement by the forward end of the pack operating to swing said arm into the path of travel of'said pawl means.

14. In pack feed mechanism for a labeling machine, a main feed normally advancing the pack,

,an auxiliary feed movable into andout of feeding relationto the pack, means to retract the main feed from the pack to permit supplying an additional pack thereto, means to advance the main feed relative to the auxiliary feed whereby to dis- .pose said additional pack in succeeding relation to the first pack, and means actuating said main 1 and auxiliary feeds in unison including motion transmitting means connecting said feeds.

15. In pack feed mechanism for a labeling machine, a main feed normally advancing the pack, an auxiliary feed movable into and out of feeding relation to the pack, means to retract the main feed from the pack to permit supplying an additional pack thereto, means to advance the main feed relative to the auxiliary feed whereby to dispose said additional pack in succeeding relation to the first pack, means actuating of the hand-wheel in the other of said positions extending thru said opening into said socket whereby to connect said hand-wheel said main and auxiliary feeds in unison including motion transmitting means connecting said feeds, and means to simultaneously discontinue actuation of said main and auxiliary feeds.

16. In pack feed mechanism for a labeling machine, a main feed normally advancing the pack,

1'1. In pack feed mechanism for a labeling machine, pack-engaging means. means to advance the pack-engaging means including pawl means movable between first and second positions, an arm, means pivotally mounting the arm for swinging movement into and out of the path of travel of said pawl means, said arm upon disposition in said path of travel constituting a stop discontinuing the operation of said pawl means, a lever including a resilient contact disposedin the path of travel of said pack-engaging means, and means connecting said lever and arm to swing said arm into the path of travel of said pawl means upon movement of said pack-engaging means into engagement with said resilient contact.

CLIFFORD H. 1mm 

